Stylish In the Rain

The weather in the North East is awful at the moment!  It is overcast, muggy and raining which I'm finding very demotivating for leaving the house, however it has inspired a quick blog post about umbrellas.  A strange choice some might think, but I've decided to take advantage of the weather to come and use my umbrella not just as protection from the rain, but as a fashionable accessory.

I've put together my top 5 on trend umbrellas for you and there are some amazing ones out there, think check, snake print and dark florals.  My favourite is without doubt the clear dome umbrella and has been ever since I  first saw Carrie Bradshaw walking the streets of New York; simple, stylish and goes with anything.

Topshop

Amazon 

 

 

 

 

River Island

Amazon

New Look

I hope these umbrellas will have you singing in the rain. Which is your favourite?

My Favourite Outfits of Summer 2013

Well my lovely readers, I think it is safe to say that we have had our summer.  With temperatures coming in at a real feel of 15 degrees I think autumn may be on it's way, but in celebration of the best summer that we've had for as long as I can remember, I have put together my favourite outfits of the summer and I would love it if you can tell me your favourite.

My top outfit has to be my floral midi dress. I picked this up in the ASOS sale; it has without doubt been my best buy of the year so far and I've received so many compliments on it.  I usually wear this with either black or bright blue heels and keep my accessories to a minimum.  I think the dress is speaks for itself.

I have to admit that this jumpsuit doesn't actually belong to me.  I borrowed this from my good friend Rosie for a night out partying.  She bought this from Primark for a bargain of £8 and it's such a shame that I have to give this back.  Unsurprisingly I added a hat to this outfit which is also from Primark; I love the retro feel it gives to this outfit.  This jumpsuit works great with gladiator sandals but I chose my platform heels from New Look for a more glamorous night out look.

I've had this zebra print maxi dress for a couple of years.  I bought it from New Look for £25 and it is one of my fail safe dresses, more so than the little black dress.  I love how versatile this dress is; I've worn this to a black and white garden party with heels and statement jewellery but I can dress it down with flip flops for a casual picnic at the park.

I bought these shorts from Zara after I spotted them on honeymoon, but unfortunately I wasn't a savvy packer and there was not an inch left in my suitcase, so I had to wait until I got home to buy these.  My blouse is from Ted Baker and I've had this for years and I've worn it so rarely that it almost ended up in the charity shop bag, but I'm so pleased it didn't.  My heels are from Primark and I adore clashing colours so I couldn't resist putting blue and orange together.

I don't just love clashing colours, I also adore clashing prints.  I first spotted this style on The Guardian website and I was instantly inspired.  It was the perfect opportunity to wear my black and white stripped tee from Zara; another piece inspired by my honeymoon.  I immediately fell in love with these floral trousers from Next, they are so bold and instantly add oomph to an outfit.  My Primark blue heels have made another appearance here and they give that extra bit of height that is needed in such loud trousers.

So there you have it, my favourite outfits of the summer, which is yours?

ASOS 50% off 50 Items

How nice are ASOS? Their amazing sale has only just ended and they have already created another one; 50% off 50 items.  I've put together my favourite pieces for you, but get in there quick as a slouchy pander jumper that I had my eye on has already gone!

ASOS have answered my prayers; a floral jumpsuit, two of my favourite things.  I love the crop top worn by the model, but I think this would also look great with a shirt and tie, or a bright pink tee for clashing colours and my black heeled buckle ankle boots.

Was £50 Now £25

I may have just done my first wish list for Autumn/Winter but I haven't left the summer completely behind.  This summer dress could be one of the last summer buys of 2013, but this dress will take you through the winter too.  Either brighten up your wardrobe with the yellow dress, but if like me this is a colour that sadly you can't pull off, the black version would look great with a chunky cardigan, statement tights and boots.

Was £25 Now £12.50

Blouses are a great end of summer investment as they are ideal for when it's too hot for short sleeves but too hot for a jumper.  The lace detail on this blouse is stunning and it gives a feminine edge to a leather skirt, but if you want to go full on feminine I would wear this with a midi skirt.

Was £38 Now £19

This Lipsy embellished collar playsuit is very daring but at least it has followed the fashion rule of showing either chest or legs.  If this playsuit is still a bit too daring for you a black or white blazer would be a great cover up.

Was £60 Now £30

Let's be honest, this wouldn't be my blog if I didn't have more than one floral piece in the post, and here is the final piece, a flower shirt.  Thankfully fashion has not let me down with their Autumn/Winter collections as floral is still huge, but it have taken on a darker edge, so expect floral patterns on dark fabric and this shirt is bang on trend.

Was £22 Now £11

Think I've got myself another shopping list, where's the plastic?

My Next Autumn/Winter Wish List

Fashion really does have no concept of time, or the seasons for that matter.  I still have no heating on and yet here is my Autumn/Winter Next catalogue bombing through my letterbox, however, do not think this is me complaining, more baffled excitement.  I love Autumn/Winter collections far more than the Spring/Summer (gasp in horror!), I find Spring/Summer clothes can become very samey, there are only so many ways that you can wear shorts, t-shits skirts and dresses, whereas in the winter you can wear any item of clothing as long as you have a few statement pair of tights and a coat, so here it is; my first wish list for Next Autumn/Winter 2013.

Nothing says Autumn/Winter like a jumper dress and I have owned more than my fair share, but I'm certain that this year will be no exception.  I love how effortless they are, the only thing you need to think about is what to put on your feet, which is great when you leave for work at 6:45 and a pair of knee high boots never fails.  This colour block on this dress is oh-so flattering and the flared out bottom adds a cute, feminine touch.

Ponte Colourblock Dress £40

I wear more skirts in the winter than I do in the summer, probably because I can be quite lazy and I can't be bothered to fake tan, especially not for work, it's more than enough effort for a night out!  This mesh skirt in mink is stunning and it would be great for either day or night, pumps and a statement t-shirt during the day and sequins and heels on a night.

Mesh Skirt £28

I will admit I do love Autumn/winter clothes as I have an excuse to indulge in one of my favourite items of clothing: coats.  I already have far too many, fur coats, overcoats, over-sized blazers, duffle coats and a parker to name a few, but there is definitely a space for a few more and this grey faux fur pu sleeve jacket is most definitely one of them.

Grey Faux Fur Pu sleeve jacket £70

Maxi dresses are a sure winner all year round and this is why we love them.  This drape maxi dress is straight out of Gatsby with a drop waist and would be perfect with a full length fur coat on a winter's night out.

Drape Maxi Dress £50

Chunky knits are a must for any winter wardrobe and this check boucle sweater is bang on A/W 13 trend, checks are everywhere.  This would look great with skinny jeans and knee high boots, or a full midi skirt, tights and stiletto heels.

Check Boucle Sweater £40

It's very rare that you will get to wear a t-shirt past September in England unless you are going to the gym, but I'm hoping that I can make an exception for this graphic animal t-shirt.  The hare resting on the books is far too cute.  I want to wear this with the mink mesh skirt and a pair of Chelsea Boots.

Bunny T-Shirt £12

Last but certainly not least is the A/W staple, the biker jacket with a check twist.  I wish I could wear this jacket now I love it so much, if only I wouldn't turn into a pool of liquid.  This jacket will add a punk vibe to anything and will look amazing with a pair of faded denim boyfriend jeans a fitted black vest and kitten heels.

Biker Jacket £60